Chapter Five

"What do you think you're doing Namikaze?"

Kagome inwardly growled as she looked up to meet the cruel brown eyes of her Kunoichi Training instructor. Twice a week, the girls from two classes separated from the boys in order to learn things needed in order to become successful Kunoichi. This was how she had met one of her best friends, Tenten, who was glaring at their instructor's back.

"I'm boiling parts of the Yew plant in order to create the poison you told us to make." Kagome said detachedly. She wouldn't dare let her teacher see how much she got to her. Ever since they'd met, it seemed like her sensei had been out to get her and she didn't understand why.

"I believe I told you to crush your plant and grind it into a powder." Her sensei said slowly. Kagome smiled coldly, her sapphire eyes frozen over. "Hai, you did sensei. But I learned that by turning the powder into a liquid, it's easier to hide and can be used in more ways than as a powder. After all, my aunt is a healer."

Hinata and Tenten hid smiles as they watched as Kagome, yet again, made their instructor look like an idiot. Served her right, they thought. She was always picking on Kagome even though she did everything right.

"Well, seeing as you cannot follow instructions, I'll be having a talk with your father about your behavior Namikaze." The Chunin smirked as she walked away. Kagome gritted her teeth, trying to ignore Ino and Sakura's snickers. Tenten ran over and placed a comforting hand on Kagome's shoulder as Hinata turned the boiler off.

"Don't worry about her Kagome-chan." Tenten smiled, "She's just jealous that you're a much cuter version of her. Not to mention, you'll be a way better Kunoichi." Hinata nodded. "Tenten is r-right. She's j-just jealous."

Kagome nodded but she couldn't help feeling frustrated. What did she ever do to make Kikyo-sensei hate her?

Kagome sighed as she finally made it to the sanctuary of her room, her robe swishing around her. Kikyo-sensei had overheard her, Hinata and Tenten's conversation and made them stay after class was let out to clean the girl's bathroom. Kagome shuddered. There had been so much makeup caked on the sink and mirror.

A kimono on her futon caught her eye and Kagome gasped before gently putting the outfit on. It was a dark blue that matched her eyes, with twin silver dragons circling around the kimono and their heads resting on each of her shoulders. It was beautiful.

"It was your mother's."

Kagome turned to meet her father's soft blue eyes. For some reason, a burning sensation began to build up behind her eyes. "Kushina?" She asked softly, not knowing the reason why. Of course her father would be talking about her. Minato swallowed thickly before giving her a shaky smile.

He led Kagome to her vanity and, applying some chakra into her brush, he gently ran it through her hair. Once her wet hair turned into silky waves, Minato adjusted Kagome's necklace and kissed her forehead.

"It's short notice, but the Uchiha clan invited you and Naruto to dinner. Unfortunately, you will be by yourselves, I have some things to be taken care of. Will you watch over your brother for me?" Minato asked tiredly. He was only twenty-five and she could see the toll being Hokage was taking on him. Kagome sniffled and flung herself in her father's arms.

"I love you Tou-san. I love you so much, no matter what happens."

The Uchiha Compound was intimidating. The twins held each other's hands as they walked along the pebbled pathway towards the Main House, the way lit up with small lamps. Naruto, not caring to impress the "stuck up" clan, was only dressed in black pants and a white dress shirt. Uchiha clansmen stared at the two children, and it unnerved them that no emotion flitted across their black eyes.

Finally they made it to the Main House and as soon as they stepped on the porch, the shoji doors slid open and an elegant slender woman stood in the doorway. She smiled at them maternally, easing the children's nervousness.

"You must be Naruto and Kagome. I'm Mikoto, Fugaku's wife." She said softly. Naruto and Kagome bowed respectfully; this was the first time they had met a woman that wasn't loud and abrasive. Mikoto radiated an aura that made them want to curl up in her arms and shut the world out.

The Matriarch led them through the house until they reached the dining room, where the rest of her family was already seated. Fugaku, Sasuke and Itachi stood up and they all bowed to one another before taking their seats.

Kagome was sat by Sasuke, much to their discomfort considering Kagome disliked the boy and Sasuke was slightly afraid of her, while Naruto sat by Itachi, slightly annoyed at being separated from his sister. He didn't want to be here but he wouldn't dare let Kagome come here by herself.

"So Kagome-chan, how do you like your studies?" Mikoto asked, trying to start a conversation as she poured tea. "They're really enjoyable. I really like Genjutsu." She admitted, peaking the family's interest in her. "Well, the Uchiha clan is the best at Genjutsu. Perhaps you'd like to come and train one day." Fugaku stated, not noticing Itachi's eyes narrowing at his arrogance. Kagome nodded politely and sipped her tea. Even she knew that Fugaku's offer came with unsaid expectations. Dinner was a quiet affair, Naruto and Kagome's discomfort heightening. They weren't used to quiet; they were used to laughter and loudness. The Uchihas were boring.

Finally, dinner was cleared out and Mikoto suggested for Sasuke to show Naruto his new kunai set. Immediately, the boys got into an argument over whose kunai were better, ignoring Fugaku's disapproval and Mikoto's quiet laughter over what she unintentionally caused.

Fugaku and Mikoto were in the kitchen talking in hushed tones so Kagome took the opportunity to look at the mantle over the fireplace. There was a family picture of them with Mikoto sitting in a chair looking regal. Fugaku stood behind her, stern and proud. An infant Sasuke was grinning toothlessly at the camera while Itachi was to the right of Mikoto. He looked….. sad, Kagome concluded.

A flicker of movement caught her eye and Kagome looked over her shoulder to see Itachi slipping outside. She looked around to see if the coast was clear before slipping on her sandals and following the Uchiha heir outside. She slid the door shut gently and nearly yelped when Itachi dropped down from the ceiling next to her.

He looked at her in amusement and offered his arm to her. Kagome took it and together they walked around the backyard of the Main House. "Are you enjoying yourself?" Itachi asked softly. Kagome paused and shook her head. Itachi's lips quirked. "I didn't think so."

Kagome sat on the edge of the pond, absently skimming her fingers on the water's surface. Itachi's dark eyes drank her in. With the moonlight highlighting her form, she looked like goddess. Kagome didn't deserve to be a ninja; she was above that type of violent lifestyle. He was brought out his musings by a splash of cold water.

Itachi sputtered, long strands of inky black hair clinging to his wet face as he looked disbelievingly at the laughing girl. "What happened Itachi-kun? How'd you get water on your face?" Kagome asked innocently.

His lips curled into a smirk as he stepped in the water and kicked some water at Kagome. She giggled and pulled her kimono up as she stepped in the water too. What started out as a small game turned into a full out war.

"Cheater!" Kagome declared when Itachi's eyes bled red in order to pinpoint where the water was going to go so that he could avoid it. Kagome tried to get out the pond but she tripped over the rocks and closed her eyes, bracing for impact.

When nothing happened, Kagome's eyes opened and she blushed pink when she saw Itachi had his arms wrapped around her waist. He swept her up in his arms, his strength surprising for one so young, and stepped out the pond. Both were dripping wet and Kagome thought in the back of her mind that she should go find Naruto, but none of that mattered right now.

Itachi felt his heart beating fast and the ten year old couldn't figure out why. Kagome looked at him dazed, a becoming pink blush across her cheeks. She'd never looked more adorable. Her small hands hesitantly touched Itachi's face and a wave of peace went through him. His red eyes closed and he unconsciously drew the girl in closer.

If he had opened his eyes, he would have seen Kagome's hands glowing pink as her hands dropped to his chest and she frowned. Something was off. His heartbeat was weird, she thought. Kagome scrunched up he face as she focused the strange chakra in Itachi and smiled when she heard his heartbeat turn normal.

Her hands stopped glowing when Itachi opened his eyes and Kagome smiled at him softly. "Yes, Ita-kun?" She said and Itachi's mind was made up. Kagome stifled a squeak when soft lips touched her. Neither knew what this feeling was, but they knew they didn't want to give it up for anything.

"TEME! GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY SISTER!"

All of a sudden a blond blur knocked into the couple, propelling them back into the pond. Naruto was breathing heavily, his blue eyes blazing. He knew they shouldn't have come! Suddenly he heard a "Don't push my Aniki!" and felt Sasuke shove him. Naruto's arms waved wildly and grabbed Sasuke's collar, pulling him into the pond as well.

Both Naruto and Sasuke came up spitting out water and started to go for each other's throats when two menacing auras flared behind them. Both boys slowly turned around and paled. Itachi's eyes were a dark crimson and Kagome's eyes screamed for blood. Both held up menacing kunai. Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a look.

"Run away!"

They didn't even make it a step.

Fugaku looked up from the scroll he was writing on and glanced at his smirking wife. "Did you hear something Mikoto?" He asked, puzzled. He could have sworn he heard screaming. Mikoto shook her head and gave her husband an innocent look.

"I didn't hear anything."

Minato groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He was worried about Naruto and Kagome being in the middle of the wolves den, so to speak, he still had an hour or two of paperwork to finish and it was midnight. Not to mention, by the time morning came, there'd be even more paperwork for him to do. Would it never end?

So caught up in his thoughts, Minato didn't notice the figure that slid into his office, closing the door with an inaudible click. Minato, done with his small break, turned around in his chair only to see a smirking Kikyo sitting on his desk.

"Long time no see, Minato." She said sensually, letting her eyes traveling his scowling form. He really didn't feel like dealing with her tonight. "I wished it'd been longer that we didn't see each other." Minato said blandly and Kikyo pouted.

"Don't be that way Minato." She chided, sliding off his desk. She adjusted the short yukata and put her hands on her slim hips. "I'm here to talk to you about Kagome." Minato's eyebrow rose.

"Is my daughter giving you trouble?" He asked lightly, but there was a hint of a threat in his voice. "Your daughter," Kikyo spat, "is too smart for her own good."

"She's just like her mother." Minato smirked, knowing that was Kikyo's weak spot. And sure enough, she didn't disappoint.

"Why was I never good enough for you Minato? It was bad enough when we were Genin. It was so obvious to everybody that you and your 'best friend' Kun-Loon were in love with each other but you two never did anything about it! Then, when Kun-Loon was married off to one of her clansmen, I thought I'd finally have a chance! Then Kushina came along and you fell in love with her! Damn it, I should have been your lover! I deserved the title of Hokage's wife! It should have been me!" Kikyo panted, her brown eyes flashing angrily.

She growled when Minato gave no reaction to her outburst and she grabbed a fistful of his robe before kissing him harshly. Minato pushed her off him and Kikyo screamed in frustration.

"There's nothing holding you back! Those two sluts are dead and I love you Minato! Why won't you accept me?" Kikyo yelled. She bit back a yelp when Minato's killing intent spiked. Cold blue eyes glared at her.

"Don't ever call them that. Even if I had never met the two loves of my life, it would have never been you Kikyo. You don't know what love is. Now get out of office and leave Kagome alone." He growled. Kikyo sniffled and disappeared in a poof to her apartment. She stomped to her bedroom and opened her closet.

Posters of Minato were taped all over the wall, torn shirts from past training sessions, locks of hair, bloody and sweaty cloths all piled up on a shrine to her love. Kikyo dropped to her knees and cut her hand with a kunai. As blood dripped on her makeshift shrine, a psychotic smile grew on her face.

"I swear, I will get you Minato. And no brat of yours or dead loves will get in my way. I will do whatever it takes for me to be with you. Whatever it takes."

... Anyways, I'm really enjoying the Academy Gaara-kun! I hope you know I love you! Make sure you write me back!

- Kaggy-chan :)

Gaara smiled brightly as he finished reading the letter his best friend sent him. Kagome hadnt forgotten him, despite his fears. And, she still loved him after everything. The red haired boy let out a whoop before running to his older sister so she could help him write a reply. He'd been working on familial relationships like Kagome told him. But Kankuro wouldnt let him near his puppets after he put some of Kankuro's make-up on it.

Life was good.

Wow, almost to one hundred reviews! Thanks so much guys! I really didnt like this chapter, but it's kinda setting things up for future chapters and possibly the sequel, and plus its a gift to all those asking for more ItaxKag. Please let me know how you like this chapter because I really dont like it but its needed. Next chapter will definitely have some action and I'm sure alot fo people will like the next chapter! And yes, I havent forgottenn about Gaara, thats why I included the little bit of him for you guys! Thanks again!

Your reviews channel my imagination

-Verdant